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Corporate Economy Expressions Markets Leisure 21 February 1998   EU strictures on aflatoxin norms spread panic among groundnut exporters The European Union (EU) plans to tighten the permissible levels of aflatoxin in HPS groundnut for human consumption and other non-edible varieties while also making the sampling norms more stringent. The proposed legislation is subject to clearance from the World Trade Organisation. If passed, it will be binding on all countries within the EU.   RBI asks states to enact law to protect small depositors The RBI has directed all state governments and union territories to enact a legislation on the lines of the Tamil Nadu Protection of Interests of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Act, 1997 to protect the interests of small depositors. IDBI to stop funding new iron, steel projects The Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) has decided against funding any new proposals for grassroot projects in iron and steel sector. The move comes in the wake of poor performance witnessed by the steel industry in general. Ficci president calls for insurance sector reforms The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) president, KK Modi, has called for opening up of the insurance sector. He further maintained that one of the important tasks before the new government is the opening up of insurance sector.   Tractor companies in low gear as sales dip In a major reversal of fortunes, tractor sales have dipped for the first time in over three years. The industry estimates indicate that the sales for January, 1998, witnessed a drop of 3% in contrast to the sales in the corresponding period last year. CBI, Stanchart pulled up at Bhupen hearing Justice SN Variava, adjudicating the securities scam, came down heavily on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) while hearing Bhupen C Dalal's application, a notified party in the scam.     Indonesian rupiah crisis   Asia currencies fall on dollar buying   Political pressure seen propping up Malaysia bank merger talks   Japan prosecutors undeterred by MP's suicide   Europe seeks US push on East-West transport corridor   World Briefing   BJP looks poised to net Nagercoil   Cong, BJP-Lok Shakti placed comfortably in north Karnataka   A natural calamity could become a blessing for BJP in Betul   Chaturanan Mishra may find the going tough this time   Sonia strongly condemns Coimbatore blasts   Software development gets object-oriented   SC judgement will not push up rentals, say realty specialist   Police seize, defuse 12 kg of landmines at Gadchiroli   Vikhe Patil to contest in Ahmednagar   Forwards zoom on Montekspeak   Executive Briefing   New plans may help boost Vietnam project   Shiv Sena-BJP struggling to retain supremacy in Marathwada region